Xi 'set tone' for future of 'one country, two systems'

President Xi Jinping's speech during celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland cleared up any doubts about "one country, two systems" and was a morale booster for the special administrative region, Hong Kong's political and business leaders said.

They made their remarks at a seminar held by the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR on Saturday to study the speech that Xi gave at the ceremony and the inauguration of the SAR's sixth-term administration. About 200 prominent figures from all walks of life took part in the seminar.

Luo Huining, director of the liaison office, said Xi's trip to Hong Kong amid the COVID-19 pandemic showed the great attention the president has for the city, as well as his care and concern for the people of Hong Kong.

Luo said the president's remarks set a definitive tone and served as a morale booster for Hong Kong, greatly bolstering the confidence of people at home and abroad about the sustained and steady implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle.

Maria Tam Wai-chu, deputy director of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said Xi's speech pointed the way forward for Hong Kong and encouraged the city to stay true to the original aspirations of "one country, two systems".

She said Hong Kong's democracy began after the handover in 1997, when the city started to enjoy a high degree of autonomy, with Hong Kong people administering the city.

Only when governing power is kept firmly in the hands of patriots can the central government's overall jurisdiction over Hong Kong be effectively implemented, the city's long-term stability and prosperity achieved and its deep-seated issues solved, Tam said.

Starry Lee Wai-king, chairwoman of the city's largest political party－the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong－said Xi's speech eliminated any doubts and misunderstandings about Hong Kong's future, as the president repeatedly emphasized the need to maintain the city's unique strengths and status.

It's also clear that Xi's message to the city is that only when "one country" is being firmly upheld, can "two systems" be given full play, Lee said.

As to the "four expectations" put forth by Xi, Lee said her party will continue to better itself by upgrading its services to the community, improving policy research and actively training political talent.

Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, convener of the Executive Council of the HKSAR, agreed that Xi's remarks removed any shades of gray and set a definitive tone for the future of "one country, two systems" as some Hong Kong people are worried about whether the principle will end after 2047.

Stanley Ng Chau-pei, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, told the seminar that the HKSAR's new governing team should be responsible for safeguarding "one country, two systems".

Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, permanent honorary president of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, said Xi's speech will boost morale regarding the city's long-term development. Choi added that Xi's speech represents a "pat on the shoulder" for Hong Kong's business sector.

Legislator Kenneth Fok Kai-kong said that he shares the aspirations for Hong Kong that Xi set forth－solving the city's housing and medical problems, caring for the elderly and the young, and promoting youth development. The SAR's new administration should ponder this, Fok said.

Fok added that he hopes the new Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau will draw up a blueprint for cultural development and make Hong Kong's culture a "new signature" of the city.